Different Language
 

I got an email from an official, today, that posed an interesting question.

I'll post his e and my reply.

Dan,

I know the seasons almost over but I was doing a girls middle school game the other day at Generic middle school and a player from Generic said something in Spanish, and I don't know what it means, but it was directed to the opposing player but what can I do next time I hear something in a different language?

Sent from my iPhone




My reply, with his named changed.




Great question XXXXX...I would say this might have to be a "you have to be there" moment to come to an ultimate decision on what to do.

If, in your judgement, the player spoke to the other player in an unsporting manner and/or got a negative response from the girl spoken to... you could issue an unsporting Technical foul on the mouthy player. (It's not WHAT she said, it's HOW she said it.)

It would be your call to determine if, in fact, the "talking" player was taunting/baiting/etc. the opposing player.

You might also just say, "knock off the talk, you are bothering her."

You might also have a short word with the coach about the behavior and your concerns.

This may be a little off topic...but when two people, you know, are talking a different language and there is just three of us in a small room. To me...this is like the two individuals whispering to each other...it is rude IMO.

Keep up the good work!

Dan

I had a game once in which a boy yelled something at an opponent in a foreign language. He got a flagrant T. Unfortunately for him, I speak Yiddish. Oy vey.

And No Worse For The Wear ...
 

It's official. He's back.

I've been back on the Board for a while, but no games this season due to my heart surgery. I still have no idea if I will be back working games at all. I won't know that for about another six months or so.

Apparently, I missed telling one assignor about my surgery. He called me the other afternoon to fill in at a game that evening. On the phone, we discussed my condition, swapped a few jokes and then he wished me a speedy recovery.

Guys - I really wish I was able to get out on the court, but staying up to date here on the Board is at least some comfort. Keep posting, dudes and dudettes.

You might also change the school name to something more generic....

+1

Did he say Kishmere en Tuchas:)

I am going with a T in this situation. I dont see any reason for the player to use a language other than english to talk to an opposing player except that they are trying to hide what they are saying.

Mark I've only been part of this board for a few years but I always look forward to your contributions and I do hope that next year you are able to be on the court! I think I posted earlier that my dad had open heart surgery at 85 and was back swimming and exercising daily about 6 months after his surgery. If he can do that ... Continued good health and recovery!

No, he called him a shtooping mumser! :eek:

I once ejected a baseball player who yelled at a base umpire in the Netherlands in Dutch. Had no clue what he was saying.

Coach asked me how I could eject him when I didn't understand the language. I told him I didn't need to know the language to know how he said what he said.

I found out later that the player was referring to the female anatomy in a not-so-nice way. I also found out that some of the umpires there are intimidated and avoid ejecting anyone because they fear losing game assignments. You know, like here.

Is the plural of 'that guy' 'those guys'?